Raz Drakken
Same.
Chapter 5
The Funeral of Zor Zallerferd
Raz felt sick and could not believe what he had just heard as his eyes grew wide and looked at General Whirlwind. "NO! This cannot be! IT CANNOT BE!" Raz shouted as he started glowing red and slammed his fists into the ground as fire flared out of his nostrils and encircled him. General Whirlwind looked and noticed dragons from the party had noticed this and were looking to see what was going on as Maz, Buckner, Rocky, Kyle, Miles, and Sarah ran out to see what was going on.
"Raz, what is wrong?" Maz asked as Raz looked up and said, "Please, send our guests home. The coronation is over. Do not tell them anything. Just send them home." Maz nodded as he went to send the guests home as Sarah
knelt down beside him as he had tears falling from his eyes. "What is wrong, Raz?" Sarah asked as he tried to calm down enough to reply, "Zor Zallerferd and Henry Rockwall are dead." Raz said as the look of shock was on every face as some started to tear up at hearing this news. "How did this happen?" Raz asked after some time in silence as General Whirlwind collected his thoughts, but hesitated, because of how many were here and looked at Raz who understood that this was not a time for tears, but a time to plan as Raz stood up and wiped the tears from his eyes.
"Mother. Father. Please gather the leaders of every region and have them meet me in the Throne Room. Buckner, Maz, Rocky, and Kyle will come with me along with General Whirlwind to The Throne Room." Raz said as General Whirlwind looked confused for a moment and asked as they walked, "What are you planning, My Lord?"
Raz continued to look forward as he spoke, "I am alerting the leaders of the four regions of a possible threat. I will not allow things to continue this way and we will be prepared when the next attack occurs. That is why I am having this meeting." General Whirlwind could not help, but feel mix feelings about his new King, because on one hand he was glad he is taking command and making decisions he thinks is best, but also believes that letting the leaders know is a big mistake. "My Lord, we have kept this secret for so long and I wonder if it is the right time to reveal anything to the Region leaders yet." General Whirlwind asked as Raz stopped dead in his tracks and turned to General Whirlwind, "General Whirlwind, I will explain my reasons at the meeting and from now on, I request that you have faith in me as you had in Zallerferd. I have been taught by him for many years and I know how he wants things to proceed. Is that clear?" Raz asked as General Whirlwind stood at attention and answered, "Yes, sir!"
Raz continued to walk as he turned to the rest and said, "We will fly up to the Throne Room as it will be a lot faster." They all nodded and spread their wings as they took flight and was up at the balcony within a few dragon seconds and landed so gracefully. Raz took the seat where Zallerferd used to sit and felt a bit off, because this was the first time he sat in this seat and thought, "I was hoping to have Zallerferd approve of this first, but I guess that is out of the question now."
Raz sat at the end of the end of the same long table that Michael had given to Zallerferd just before his coronation as a present, and as everyone sat down; Raz looked around the table as Maz sat to his immediate right, then Buckner, and across from Buckner was Rocky and then Kyle, and finally General Whirlwind sat to his immediate left.
"Alright, now what happened to Zallerferd and Rockwall?" Maz asked as Raz held up his hand, "I am sorry, but I would like to wait until everyone is in here before General Whirlwind tells us what happened." Raz said as Maz nodded and understood what Raz was doing.
Two dragon minutes later, Miles and Sarah returned as they were arguing with the other leaders who were not happy to be awake this late. "What is the meaning of this, Miles? Getting us out of bed at this time of night," Aria said as she walked in with her pink night gown flowing behind her as Reed was also complaining about being up as Raz stood. "ENOUGH!" Raz shouted as every last one of them jumped and bowed. "I will not have this meeting cluttered up with meaningless scrabble, now please, take a seat." Raz said as everyone took a seat as Raz slowly sat back down in his seat.
"Now, I have summoned you all here tonight, because I believe that now is the time to stop hiding the fact that we have a problem. General Whirlwind has some news to report. General?" Raz said as the General stood and walked around the table as he spoke, "Earlier this evening, Zallerferd and Rockwall died in the line of duty and now time has come to be up front and honest." Every one of the Region leaders was wide-eyed as they all looked on in stunned silence.
"Wait just a minute; who or what is powerful enough to kill Zallerferd and Rockwall" Breeze Stillwater asked as Raz looked at the General and then spoke, "There is something we have now come to call The Darkness and it has been trying to enter this world for some time now." "What is this Darkness, exactly?" Maz asked as Raz looked at him, "Well, Michael knew exactly what it was, but we however, only know that there are seven dark angels who would like nothing better them to destroy this world and the cave we were in eleven dragon years ago was the Barrier of the first Dark Angel; Strife." Raz said as they all looked at each other as Raz continued, "Buckner, do you remember how you felt at the coronation, tonight?" Buckner thought for a moment as he tried to remember. "I believe I felt anger, and I knew there was nothing to be angry about, but I felt like causing trouble." Buckner said as Raz smiled.
"Exactly my point. The Dark Angel Strife has been sending his influence into our world and has been causing good friends to fight and split apart. If I am right, Zallerferd went to check on the barrier with you and Rockwall, to which you found something wrong, am I correct?" Raz asked as General Whirlwind nodded as Miles spoke up. "What I want to know is why this information was kept from us for this long, and why did it have to get so bad before deciding to tell us anything?"
Raz sat in his chair for a moment before answering the question, "We did not want to start a panic in the community, but things have gotten to the point, where we could not hide it anymore, especially what happened to Blaze Kindle last year. I am saying something now, because I believe you as the leaders should know what I know and do not forget that Michael taught us what we know today so we can protect ourselves and you have me." Raz said
Reed laughed and replied, "No disrespect My Lord, but you do not have total control over your ability yet and you're making the claim that you can protect us. I find that doubtful." This stopped Raz in his track as he thought, "He is right, but I have been working with my ability. So, I feel confident in my ability to protect this world." Raz stood up from his chair as looked at Reed. "Reed Earthbond, I will remind you that I took an oath to protect this world and that is what I intent to do. That is promise. Do not ever presume that I will let this world fall to ruin, because I will die fighting before that happens." Raz said as Reed nodded then Raz looked around the table at the smiling faces. "I know I am young and I will take any advice, but do not ever test my resolve, because I will go above and beyond to make everyone one of you know that I will protect this world." Raz said as he looked at Maz who just nodded.
Sarah looked up and spoke, "King Drakken, where is this Darkness coming from?" Raz looked at her as he smiled, because she was being formal around the other leaders. "There is another world called the Dark Realm and it is almost like the place Michael came from except it is pure evil. Our ancestors first escaped it from a distant world called Earth, a long time age when Michael stepped in and saved our race." Raz said as Buckner perked up, "Wait. Just how many worlds are there?" "Well, there are many worlds, but I only know of four. This world, which is called The Dragon World, Earth, The Dark Realm, and The Light Realm" Raz replied as Buckner nodded.
Miles spoke up again, "So what do you want us to do?" Raz looked at General Whirlwind who nodded and spoke, "We have two dragon months at the most to get ready, because after that, the barrier will fall and Strife will be free to enter this world unchecked." Raz nodded as he said, "So, to put it simply. Over the next two months, we will be training and preparing defenses. So, if the time comes to fight, we will be ready. Having said that, Buckner I need you and Maz to team up to find a way to reseal the barrier permanently and if not, come up with another plan for defeating the Darkness. You two are experts in spells and potions, so if anyone can find a way, it is you two. Now Kyle, go with General Whirlwind and start preparing the Supreme Region's defenses for the worst possible scenario. Rocky, I am putting you in charge of making a monument to Zallerferd and Henry Rockwall and for setting up the funeral."
"My Lord, I offer Buckner and Maz my expertise and I will start making health potions." Sarah said as Raz nodded as he continued, "Also mother, have Nurse Gailwind gather together medical supplies, so we can store them and have them ready." Sarah nodded as everyone was smiling at him. "My Lord, I take back the statement I made earlier and I thank you for making me stand corrected. I should not have despaired." Reed said as Raz smiled and replied, "I feel not anger or hatred towards you. I will be honest with you, I am afraid too, but I believe that we cannot let fear control our actions and take us to places we do not want to be. As I have said before, I would appreciate any advice any of you think might help."
"I have some advice." Miles said as Raz smiled and waited as Raz smiled and waited patiently. "We all need to get some sleep." Miles said as everyone nodded in agreement as they all had a little laugh and Raz nodded at that. "Alright everyone, remember to keep this to a minimum for now and we shell have the funeral at dusk tomorrow, so remember that as you go about your tasks. Dismissed." Raz said as everyone got up from their chairs and went to leave as Raz walked over to the balcony doors and looked out at the night and studies the darkness for a minute.
"Raz?" Miles asked as Raz turned and replied, "Yes, father? What is it?" "Are you okay, my son?" Miles asked as Raz sighed as he looks back out into the night. "Yes, but I can definitely feel the pressure, and I just wish Zallerferd was here. He would know what to do." Raz said as Miles smiled and asked, "You know. You're not doing so bad, yourself. You are doing exactly what Zallerferd expected you to do. Do you know how many meetings he conducted exactly the way you did?" Raz shrugged his shoulders s Miles continued, "Every meeting and in some ways, he was tougher on us then you were tonight. The other leaders have faith in you Raz, even if they do not show it. And, one more thing, I am proud of both you and Maz. You have been more of a blessing then you know and I will do anything to make sure you succeed." Raz looked back at his father as they hugged for a moment. "Thank you father." Raz said as they broke the hug and Miles walked out onto the balcony as he looked back to Raz. "Good night, Raz." Miles said as he jumped off the balcony and took flight into the night.
"Good night, Father." Raz said as he felt tired and decided to go to bed as he walked over to the side door of the Throne Room and as he opened it, he saw the spiraling stair case as he slowly descended; thinking back on the memories of Zallerferd as he reached the bottom. Raz noticed the dark wooden door with the brass handle that looked like a dragon's head as Hector bowed to him as Raz nodded to Hector and walked in.
The bedroom was vast as the whole area was sixteen dragon lengths in space with the bed sitting at the north end of the room that had red draperies, sheets, and blankets with the fire symbol on them for Raz who was used to them being blue for Zallerferd. The dragon length long by a dragon length wide area rug was also red as it sat in front of a fire place with a mantle that now had Raz's trophies that he had won throughout his school years with a painted picture of him and his friends when they were fifteen dragon years old.
Raz looked over to the study area on the west side of the room, opposite of fire place where Raz did most of his studies with Zallerferd and remembered reading all of the books on the shelves that were on two bookcases on both sides of a window that looked out across the Supreme Region. A large desk that was a dragon's length long and half a dragon's length wide as it stood half a dragon's lengths high as an ink well and a quell were set upon it.
The walls were covered in the Four Regions banners with the Supreme Regions banner at the center as the ceiling had a fire well that hung down to give the room the most light possible and was usually controlled by fire dragons, but seeing as Raz was a fire dragon, he had no need for them as he dimmed the fire and changed into his night clothes that consisted of a long night shirt that went down to the middle of his legs as laid down in bed and started to sob. "Good-bye my Leader, My captain, My King," Raz said as he fell into a deep sleep.
"It is dark...dark...dark!" Raz said as his voice echoed into the blackness as he tried to find his way, but to no avail as he stopped and was able to see his hand and looked at the rest of his body and found he only had a white waist tunic on that went down to his knees as he shivered in the darkness.
"Hello...Hello...Hello." Raz said as his voice echoed off into the distance again as he tried desperately to make out anything in the dark, but found nothing and he felt very alone. He suddenly heard something move behind him as he turned, but could not see anything. "Hello...Hello...Hello..." Raz said as his voice once again, echoed off into the darkness and heard something move again behind him as he turned fast to catch a glimpse, but suddenly found himself standing in front of a wasteland as smoke from fires bellowed high in the sky as the bodies of dead dragons laid everywhere. "What is this?" Raz asked as he looked around and his eyes grew big as he saw his friends lying dead on the ground and saw Maz's body being held up by a stake running through his heart with his head blankly looking up at the sky as Raz reached out his head, "No, this cannot be. NOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Raz screamed as he rolled and fell out of bed as he was soaked in sweat and quickly looked around the room. "Thank goodness!" Raz said as he lied back down on the floor as Hector and a couple of other guards came barging in to the room. "My Lord! Are you hurt?" Hector asked as Raz slowly sat up and nodded as Maz came running into the room. "What is going on here?" Maz asked as Raz put up a hand, "It is nothing. Just a bad dream." Raz said as he pulled himself back upon his bed and rubbed his head for a minute.
"I am fine Hector, Thank you." Raz said as Hector and the other two guards bowed and exited the room leaving Raz and Maz alone. "Are you really okay, Raz?" Maz asked as Raz took a moment to answer, "Physically, I am fine, but mentally, I believe I am seeing what will happen if I fail." Raz said as Maz replied, "Do you not mean 'we'. Raz you have to realize that you left out the prophecy about us last night at the meeting." Raz looked at him for a moment. "I left it out on purpose, because I am not sure if it is even true or not. And, if it is true, how come we have not seen any signs yet?" Raz asked as Maz smiled and replied, "Well, I have seen a sign, because I was down at the courtyard when I felt something was wrong with you. It was as if I could feel your emotions and that must have been some dream you had." Raz nodded as he looked at the ground to figure out what might be happening. "You mean if we practice, then we will able to read each other's emotions?" Raz asked as Maz replied, "I am not sure, but it probably is a start."
Raz smiled as he stood up and realized that it was mid-morning. "Sparks and Embers! Maz, I am late! I must get everything ready for the funeral." Raz said as Maz put up a hand. "It has all been taken care of. All you have to do is write your speech for tonight, but before you do that, I would suggest that you take some time to think about what you want to say." Maz said as Raz smiled. "Thank you, Maz. I might just do that." Raz said as Maz walked out of the room as Raz stood up again and walked over to a side door leading to the washroom, which had a constant stream of water flowing, so it could be used to fill up a large bowl.
Raz closed the door to the washroom and within a few minutes, Raz came back out dressed in a white tunic and brown leather pants that matched his brown belt that lied on top of the white tunic with a golden buckle. Raz breathed in deep as he walked back up to the Throne room saw it was empty. "Good, I can take my leave now." Raz thought as he walked over to the balcony and looked out over the landscape and smiled as the sun shined bright revealing a really gorgeous day as Raz jumps off the balcony and glided easily on the wind. Hector stepped out from behind a pillar as he jumps off of the balcony and follows Raz.
"I must find out more about what happened last night and see if I can find a way to combat this evil. Also, I do not understand why Zallerferd was fit to leave me out of the problem. I would have been more than willing to help. Well, whatever the reason, he must of had a good one." Raz thought as he saw the beach and the Great Ocean as he made his descent and landed softly beside the three craters that were left by Zallerferd, General Whirlwind, and Lieutenant Rockwall.
Raz looked around the area that was still scared from the battle last night as Raz tried to study what happened as he looked over to the wall and felt fear grow in the pit of his stomach as he eyes grew big, because of a crack in the wall that was barely issuing smoke again. "I thought this was sealed, How did this happen?" Raz asked as a voice behind him answered, "Because the spell that was supposed to totally seal the wall was not strong enough and the spell did not account for an extra body either."
Raz turned around and gasped as he saw Zallerferd standing there, but Raz noticed that he could see through him and was feeling a little nervous about this. Hector landed far behind some rocks and saw Raz talking to someone, but could not make out who it was, but listened intently as Raz spoke, "Zallerferd, are you a ghost?" Zallerferd laughed as he answered, "Well, in a way I am, but what I am is more of an echo of the dragon you knew." Raz nodded and looked at the ground before looking back to Zallerferd and replied, "So, why are you here and why did you try to seal the without me?" "I am here to warn you about the coming evil, and it is coming sooner than expected and the crack in the wall is evidence of that. But, to answer the last part of your question. I felt we could handle it without you and we did not want to ruin your night." Zallerferd said as Raz looked heated, "No disrespect, but when I found out that you were dead; it not only ruined my night, but it ruined any potential future we had. I understand that protecting this world is important to you, but I wish you had brought me with you." Raz said as he just put his hands on his head.
Zallerferd nodded and spoke, "I know Raz and I am sorry, but my time is limited here, so I must be quick. The first seal is going to break two weeks from now and there is not a spell that can stop it. So, you must get everyone ready faster than what was originally planned and do not forget you and Maz are key to his whole thing, along with your three other friends who are gifted in their element along with Maz. Also, do not forget about other six seals which are going to be stronger, so be training constantly. You guys can do anything you put your minds to and never forget that nothing can defeat you if you work together. I love every one of you and I will put in a good word for you with Michael, but for now, I take my leave." Raz had tears in his eyes as he finally said good bye to his mentor, who faded out of sight. Raz looked around and noticed it was late in the afternoon as he looked up to the sky and could not believe how fast time went by. Raz looked back at the wall again and saw the crack was a little bigger then it was before which was still issuing smoke as Raz spread his wings and took flight. Hector saw this and did the same as he tried to keep out of sight of Raz.
Maz was busy helping Amber arranging the flowers at the base of the memorial Rocky had made earlier, who now was putting on the finishing touches on Lieutenant Henry Rockwall's tombstone. Kyle was helping Buckner with a list of items and chores that needed to be done. Maz looked up from the flowers to the sky and sighed, "What is it, Maz?" Amber asked as Maz looked at her for a moment before answering, "Oh, I am just worried about Raz. He has been gone all day and I am wondering if something is not wrong." Amber smiled as she put her hand on his shoulder, "You knew he is more than capable of taking care of himself. Even if he gets a big head at times." Amber said with a laugh as Maz smiled, but did not laugh, because he could sense something was wrong with Raz. As if Raz found something devastating or learned of something that could potentially destroy the world, but he was not sure just yet, so he let the idea drop
"Yes, you are right. I am just hoping he is okay. He seemed kind of distant this morning and it is almost time for the funeral." "Do not worry. He will be here," Amber said as Blaze walked over. "Hey. Have you seen King Drakken?" Blaze asked as Maz replied, "I think he is out, taking a walk or flight." Blaze nodded as he walked away as Rocky came over. "Do you think he likes Raz the way Raz likes him?" Rocky asked as the other two shrugged, "Maybe, it is hard to say with him, because he hides his feelings, but I think he does." Maz said as Rocky and noticed Buckner and Kyle walking up. "Hey, have you guys seen Raz? I need him to go over this list Kyle and I have to make sure we have everything for the funeral. " Buckner said as Maz and Amber shrugged when suddenly, they heard the sound of flapping wings up above them as they all looked up and saw Raz coming in for a landing. "RAZ!" They shouted as Raz landed and they all gathered around him all at once.
"Hello guys. How are you?" Raz asked as he adjusted his black ceremonial robes as everyone started talking to him all to once. "Whoa, one at a time. Maz you go first." Raz said as Maz took a moment to collect his thoughts. "I was hoping you would make it back in time. I have made the final preparations with the help of everyone here of course." Maz said as Raz smiled and replied, "That is good to hear and Buckner, what do you and Kyle have?" "We have everything ready, and we are now waiting on you." Buckner said as Kyle nodded in agreement as Raz continued, "Rocky, I like where you put the monument to Zallerferd, here in the courtyard where everyone can see it."
The monument depicted Zallerferd standing in a ceremonial gown, holding a book in his right hand and a sword in the other with the words written at the base, "WITH KNOWLEDGE COMES POWER AND WITH POWER COMES RESPONSIBILITY." "I really like this monument Rocky. Now let me see the one for Lieutenant Rockwall." Raz said as Rocky led him around to the side of the monument, where a tree shaped tombstone was place with the words that read, "Here lays Lieutenant Henry Rockwall, and always future family member to all of The Dragon World." "This is splendid work, indeed Rocky. This is truly giving tribute to our fallen loved ones. Thank you, Rocky." Raz said as Rocky smiled and nodded as Raz headed to the stage that was still there from last night, but now was decorated in black for the funeral as he walked up on stage and looked around to see how many dragons there were and knew that this funeral was not going to be easy. Raz looked at the two setting suns as the Courtyard was filled to the brim and beyond as every last dragon was dressed in black robes. "I really hope I do not mess this up." Raz thought as he took a deep breath and spoke,
"I would first like to thank all of you for coming out on a day such as this and the celebrations of last night seem to be a long distant memory and left us with tragedy of our loved ones; Henry Rockwall and Zor Zallerferd. But, I am not sad about losing both of them, because I know that they put their lives on the line, so we could be here now, remembering their bravery, courage, and honor in the face of danger. I also know that they will never truly be gone as long as we keep them in our hearts and in our memories. I also will not lie to you about how they died and why. They died defending this world from another world called the Dark Realm, which is a place of terrible evil, but I pray you do not be afraid, because Zallerferd and I have been working on a plan to permanently get rid of this evil forever.
"I have been discussing this with my royal court and we be bring you up datesas soon as we get them. For now let us take this time to remember Henry Rockwall who never backed down in the face of evil and Zor Zallerferd who was like a second father to all of us when we were hurt, when we were sad, when we were hurt, when we were angry. He was always there and we never forget such a great friend, brother, and King. Thank you."
Raz finished as applause erupted through the crowd as Raz made a dozen fire Rose's as he made his way over to the monument as the members of his court started walking behind him followed by the rest of the crowd as Raz sat the Rose's at the monument and at the tombstone.
Raz walked off by himself and was staring up at the two moons when he heard someone, "King Drakken" Raz turned to see Blaze walking towards him as Raz smiled and replied, "You can call me Raz, if you want." Blaze smiled as he came to a halt in front of Raz. "Okay, Raz. I am not very good with explaining my feelings, but I know I never thanked you for saving me a year ago, so here." Blaze said as he held up a small wrapped gift. "Wow, thanks!" Raz said as he opened it to reveal a deep red stone that Raz knew to be a fire stone. "I thought you might like it. I wanted to give it to you when we started Military Tactics, but I did not know how you would react. So, I waited until now." Blaze said as Raz thought for a moment, "I knew he had feelings for me, but I was too afraid to ask and so, it is now or never."
Raz looked at Blaze and spoke, "I have had feelings for you for a long time, but I was not sure how you would take it. But now I am expressing those feelings now."
Blaze smiled as he that about what was said and moved closer. "So, would it be alright if I court you?" Blaze asked as Raz nodded as the both slowly kissed each other and hugged as Maz spoke, "Alright, finally you two are together."
Raz turned around with Blaze as they both smiled as they saw Kyle, Buckner, Rocky, and Maz standing there; sending out cheers and whistles as they gathered around them.
"It is about time you chose a mate, Raz." Rocky said as Raz nodded in agreement and spoke, "Thank you, everyone. I am truly blessed to have friends like you and now that Blaze and I are courting each other. I believe both of our lives will be that much more happier."
Raz hugged all of his friends as they started speaking among each other as the ground started shaking violently and knocked everyone off of their feet as a big cloud rose up into the air and hovered there.